But they may have been salvaged by the idea of air bridges, which would see agreements sought with countries with low R numbers - the average amount of people someone with the virus infects - to let passengers travel between them without going into quarantine.

Mr Shapps signalled those returning from countries where air bridge agreements have been secured may avoid the quarantine.

"It is the case we should consider further improvements - for example, things like air bridges enabling people from other countries who have themselves achieved lower levels of coronavirus infection to come to the country," he told the Commons on Monday.

"So, those are active discussions that go beyond what will initially be a blanket situation."